A30345:694
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel…A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel…
A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the gradual breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errors of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightness, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.A treatise of the covenant of grace wherein the graduall breakings out of Gospel grace from Adam to Christ are clearly discovered, the differences betwixt the Old and New Testament are laid open, divers errours of Arminians and others are confuted, the nature of uprightnesse, and the way of Christ in bringing the soul into communion with himself ... are solidly handled / by that faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, and minister of the Gospel, John Ball ; published by Simeon Ash.
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1645
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Prophets speak of the times of the Messiah as the times1 of clear light and revelation, after which no new inspiration is to be expected. When the Messiah cometh, he will teach us all things. The times of the Messiah are called, the last times, which are the times wherein that Doctor of righteousness is promised, after whose coming we are to look for no clearer or fuller revelation of divine mysteries. So the Apostle saith, Christ was manifested in the last days, to wit, in the times of the Gospel. The time of the Messiah was that time appointed of the Father, wherein the heir was no longer to be an infant under tutors and governors, but as of ripe age he should live under the guidance of the Spirit: of whom, as by the Spirit of liberty, being enlightened, he should with open face, as in a glass, behold the glory of God. The Doctrine of the Gospel inspired into and preached by the Apostles, is most glorious, the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the Image of God, and the brightness of his glory, in whom it pleased the Father, that all fullness should dwell: in comparison whereof the Law is not glorious: which shall be preached in all the world until the end come, and shall continue without abolition. The Apostles preached the word of faith, righteousness and life, the word of salvation, and power of God unto salvation, even great salvation, and the immortal seed which doth endure for ever, even Jesus Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, that the whole Church might have communion with the Father and with the Son: But the Word of faith, righteousness and life, the immortal seed, the Word that doth reveal the ministry of Christ fully and entirely, is a word consummatory and not preparatory: in communion doth consist perfection or consummation. And2 in these respects the calling of Christians to the state of grace, is more excellent then the calling of the Jews; as the instrument of their calling is more excellent. The same Word for substance was delivered to both, but not for full and clear manifestation. In the Gospel, Christ, the promises, heaven and life is more distinctly revealed and fully propounded. God dealt with the Jews as with children young and tender; with Christians, as ⟨p. 332⟩with men grown to age, and come to some ripeness.